The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) condemned, on Monday, the Israeli occupation forces' siege and targeting of four of the society's ambulances and ten of its crews while they were carrying out their humanitarian duties. The attack came after the occupation forces bombed the Hashashin area in Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip, at dawn yesterday, and seized control of the area with their vehicles.

"Contact with the crew has been completely lost, and their fate has remained unknown for approximately 30 hours," the association said, expressing deep concern for the safety of its crews and holding the Israeli occupation authorities fully responsible for their fate. They have rejected all attempts to coordinate the rescue team's arrival at the scene through international organizations.

An ambulance heading to the Hashashin area to transport a number of wounded and injured people was subjected to heavy gunfire by the occupation forces, which resulted in the injury of its crew. This necessitated sending three other ambulances to the scene to evacuate the wounded, including our injured crews. However, the occupation forces suddenly surrounded the area, and communication with the crew was completely cut off.

Yesterday evening, the occupation forces released one of the crew members after severely beating him.

The Society affirmed that targeting medical personnel constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law and a breach of the Geneva Convention, holding the international community fully responsible for the continued targeting by the occupation of its personnel, facilities, and ambulances bearing the Red Crescent emblem, which is protected under international humanitarian law.

The number of the association's martyrs in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the aggression has reached 19, targeted by the occupation while they were carrying out their humanitarian work.

The Society renewed its appeals to the international community and UN institutions to take immediate action to provide protection for our staff working in Palestine, compel the occupation to respect the Red Crescent emblem, and protect civilians and medical and humanitarian workers in accordance with international humanitarian law.